10 Fantastic Music Events to Check Out this Long Weekend

The Queen’s birthday is one of those long weekends that creep up on you. It’s the beginning and end of the year that’s associated with the festival and holiday season. And these are the months we’re always counting down until. It’s when the live music scene is exceptionally amplified; the weather heats up, the tunes are pumping and there’s something booked in for every public holiday well in advance. Then September comes into play. You’re already counting down the days until the Christmas break and BOOM! Another well-deserved, almost forgotten about public holiday makes its way into your diary.

With just a few nights of sleep till the long weekend hits, it’s time to start planning what live music events you’re heading too. We love public holidays as much as we love everything else. Local gigs, a quick getaway, sleep-ins, over-indulging in food and drinks, spending time with family and friends or simply just recouping. For music lovers needing to get their fix of live entertainment this long weekend, here’s a list of the top gigs to be at.

Wave Rock Weekender | Wave Rock

The 12th annual Wave Rock Weekender offers the perfect excuse to get away for the weekend. Road trip to the edge of the desert, otherwise known as Hyden, which is just under 4 hours drive from the city. Join 900 people as they gather together to enjoy music, film, nature, camping, food, booze, friends and good times. The mini music festival covers live music vibes from around Australia and the world, including Tex Don & Charlie, Miss Blanks, Old Blood, Moonlover, Felicity Groom, Southern River Band, Sex on Toast, Shonen Knife and more.

Sashstock 3: Filthy Shred Fest of Doom | Fly By Night Club, Fremantle

Make your way to one of Fremantle’s top live music venues for a night of surf grunge and psychedelic rock. Moonlighter will be launching their new single The Blind Man and filming the live music video on the night. So here’s your chance to be featured! Plus, it’s the lead singer, Sash’s birthday too. Good vibes all around. Also on the bill is Matt Sevier, Pretty Uglys, Your Girl Pho and New Towns. Get down to the Fly this Friday night!

POW! Negro EP Launch | The Bird, Northbridge

Join Pow! Negro as they head to The Bird Friday night to launch Jasmine & Licorice. The gig promises to be a dynamic live show, with a fusion of slick guitars, banging drums and smooth sax sounds. The EP, which was produced by David Kennedy (A Tribe Called Quest) showcases the band’s eclectic style of hip-hop, jazz and psych.

Beers, Bikes, Bands and Tattoo Expo | Fly By Night Club, Fremantle

It’s a rock n’ roller’s ultimate day out. Beers, bikes, bands and tats. What a combo! The Fly will be hosting this epic lineup of tasty music treats Saturday 23rd October. Featuring Dirtwater Bloom, Wayne Green’s Ragged Company, Legs Electric, Mikey Mike and Big Boss Band on the bill. You can expect free beer tastings, a vintage bike expo and tattoo stalls throughout the day too.

Cost: $5-$15 depending on whether you want just the expo, the bands or the whole kit and caboodle.

Ben Catley & Tom Day | The Odd Fellow, Fremantle

Local roots icon Ben Catley is teaming up with Tom Day to put on a high-energy show of feel-good acoustic blues. The gig will give fans a chance to listen to Ben’s latest release in the flesh, Strong Hands/Open Skies. Both musicians are renowned for their powerful vocals and lively guitar playing, so the gig is guaranteed to get all bodies moving. Join Ben and Tom at The Oddfellow Saturday night.

Legacy of Supremacy Album Launch | Amplifier Capitol, Perth

Turn back the time machine to a night of 80’s rock. After 5 years in the making, Legacy of Supremacy are ready to launch their album The Morning After, Saturday 23rd at Amplifier. Fans can expect to hear the latest release in full and may even be treated to an arena laser light show! To stay true to the 80’s-inspired rock theme, the boys will be supported by Jackson Koke and Sister Switchblade. Both acts will also be releasing new material on the night.

Blue Shaddy | Indi Bar, Scarborough

Ready for the blues? Blue Shaddy and Lightnin’ Jack will be heating things up at the Indi Bar Saturday night. Think greasy grooves and smooth rolling beats to ease you into the long weekend. Blue Shady have been shaking the live music scene up since 99′. The band have a solid back catalogue of gigs at The West Coast Blues and Roots Festival, The Bridgetown Blues Festival, The Mordialloc Festival and more.

Stone Temple Pilots Tribute | Badlands Bar, Northbridge

In June 1994 Stone Temple Pilots released their iconic album Purple. To pay tribute to one of the greatest rock bands, The Lounge Flys will perform the album in all its entirety. 90’s rock lovers can expect to hear Purple from start to finish, plus an encore of hits that have been cemented into rock n’r oll history for eternity. The Lounge Flys combine some of Perth’s best musicians. Supported by indi rock trip The Limbs.

Abbe May | Rollercoaster, Mandurah

Long weekends are the best excuse to get out of Perth for a few days – even if it’s just an hour out. The queen of Aussie rock will be performing a cocktail mix of sexy soul, rock and electronica in Mandurah Saturday night. Abbe May is a hard-hitting lyricist and visual artist who gained huge success with her 2012 album Design Desire.

We Love Disney 2 | The Ellington Jazz Club, Northbridge

If you have a guilty pleasure for Walt Disney music, and let’s face it, who doesn’t, then the Ellington is the place to be this Sunday. Soulful renditions of Disney classics for adults can be expected, along with a bottle of red or a couple of cocktails to wind down the long weekend. Music from all your favourite childhood movies including The Lion King, The Jungle Book, Aladdin and more.